You may recall the orphaned black kitten that barn cat Lilly mothered for a short while along with her own three babies. (Included in May 15 post on this blog.) The nurturing that Lilly gave that kitten, found mewling in a nearby ditch, probably saved its life. His name came to be Will, because of his strong will to live.
After a few days as nursemaid, Lilly moved Will to a spot in the tack room far away from the rest of the litter. One of my riding pals, Ella Mae, found Will cold to the touch and barely breathing. She worked hard that afternoon and barn owner, Teresa, through the night, keeping the little guy warm and trying to convince him to nurse from tiny bottles of special mother-cat-like milk.
Shortly after that long, worrisome night, Will fell into the good graces of a very competent and generous cat caregiver, Betty. She was experienced with rescue and near-hopeless situations like Will’s seemed at the time: He only weighed four ounces and had to be fed by tube at first. Betty soon had Will on the mend. After several weeks under her watch, tiny Will became stronger, and his larger-than-life personality began to surface.
Will is now at home with Ella Mae’s son, Alan. Will is still small for his age, but all health
and behavior reports are good: Will follows Alan around like a puppy might, hides under the covers and is a perfect apartment-mate, said Ella Mae.
Ya gotta love a happy ending! Especially when a kitten twice left to die well, defies the odds and, lives. Thank you Betty, Ella Mae, Teresa and Alan for serving much as godparents would to little Will.
Lilly’s own kittens are prospering in their new homes, too. I have a little egg on my face, however. I jumped to the conclusion that the three were sisters; at least two have turned out to be brothers. Oops!
Photos by Ella Mae Hays
I do love a happy ending. I remember when I was small, I loved reading the dog stories of Albert Payson Terhune. However, some of them were so sad, I couldn’t read them…they broke my little heart.
The Story of Will could be the biggest heart breaker ever. But with Will’s tenacity and complete willingness to be found and nurtured, it has turned into a story with a lovely close. Strong Will indeed!
At some point I, too, stopped reading childhood animal stories that made my heart hurt and my eyes cry.
And, when I read “Bambi” to my son, I always changed the part about his mother dying.
Guess you might call that revisionist history of a sort. Thanks for sharing your pet stories!
Sandra: Will is adorable! And what a heartwarming story! He looks just like my Butch and Sundance—and I hope he continues to grow to be as healthy!
Cheers!
BCC
Thank you so much Janet, for letting us know the happy ending to this story about the tiny kitten who was rejected twice, but had the will to survive – and wonderful, caring people who made sure he had the chance!
Will is a perfect name for him!
Do you think you could give us another follow-up on his progress? I’d love to know how he is doing.